What is it about all this scientific and mathematical vocabulary, notation, jargon, acronyms? Is it there to make us smarter and understand more or is it there just to confuse us? The following are some scientific examples of extreme vocabulary (look at your own risk)

In math you have all the integral signs and the large sigma and the n-notation everywhere.

Chemistry is no better, with all the organic chemistry notation. For example one diastereomer is trans-3-methylcyclopentanol (I have no idea what that is used for, but it looks complicated, right?) The other enantiomer is cis-3-methlycyclopentanol in case you’re wondering.

With terms like this, its easy to stop in your tracks and run the other way. Sure. Go ahead. See ya next podcast and post if you follow suit. But for a vocabulary adventure, keep reading.

Eschew Obfuscation in the English Language and what to do about vocabulary intimidation

But you don’t encounter intimidating vocabulary only in the science classroom. Or in any classroom. There are things all around us that cause us to feel intimidated just by saying them out loud.

The English language being one of the great intimidators. The existence of the word irregardless. Spelling bee words. A new (to me) phrase brought to my attention by one of my commenters: Eschew Obfuscation

After doing a little bit of research, I found out that “eschew obfuscation” means “avoid confusion“.

Sometimes intimidating vocabulary can be used (like I did with the science words) to intimidate you. Or as Timelady says: “sometimes (people) genuinely do not realise that it is unreasonable to expect others to understand such words – perhaps they are (using) technical jargon, abbreviations, acronyms”.

Do I feel that a lot of people in my life do this on a regular basis? – NO.

Do I feel that quilters have such a crazy complicated vocabulary such that they cannot express their meaning to me in a way I can’t understand? – Also NO.

If someone does intimidate you verbally, Timelady says to counter with something to the effect of: “oh I don’t know what that word means. Could you tell me? Thanks for increasing my language skills”.

To avoid confusion when writing, an Eschew Obfuscation website suggests to

write simply

write concisely

assume the reader is naive

use the active voice

present tense

positive language

common language

avoid acronyms

organize thoughts sequentially and logically

(a few of these I have to work on myself.)

Possible confusing vocabulary in our hobbies

With hobbies of any kind, science fiction, fishing, quilting … etc. there is usually a learning curve to understanding the hobby.

Learning product and equipment names can seem confusing to use. Materials used in creating a project have their own names, brands, and acronyms.

Other times it is a specific technique that is being demonstrated, and a skill that has to be learned.

Sometimes abstract concepts are best described with a certain word or phrase like “color value”, gradation, contrast. Some of these techniques are simple in idea, but also complicated such that it takes a lifetime to master.

Space saving when communicating is facilitating our use of acronyms and symbols. Text messaging, tweeting, and constant communication is shortening our words and ideas to “WIPS” “UFO’s” “HSY” (haven’t started yet – heard by me first on Annie Smith’s Quilting Stash).

The reason I haven’t pursued crochet and knitting is the pattern and symbol notations used in patterns as space savers. I see the pattern notation, don’t take time to analyze it, and put the project down, never to start on it. I COULD figure it out if I had the desire to learn, but for now I’ll just do quilting with its visual blocks.

Do teacher-type techniques for extreme vocabulary learning (like for tests when you HAVE to know words)

Make it fun. Create word crosses, word searches, and puzzles at discovery puzzlemaker site

Matching quiz. Write or copy the list of words and the list of definitions and paste each into two separate columns in a word processing or spreadsheet program. Then alphabetize all the words alphabetically, and alphabetize all the definitions reverse alphabetically. Do a matching game.

Create flashcards. Used this to demonstrate the idea of stoichiometry in equations. Physically moving something around helped with movement and learning. As quilters, we move around the parts of our quilt blocks – that is similar to how to learn balancing equations.

Create a blog about a new word or idea. Chances are that teaching someone else something will help you learn it better yourself. Blogs are good for this.

Something fun

I hope you enjoy a little crossword that I created using words from Quilt University’s own Quilt Glossary. You can find the PDF below.

Like this:

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4 comments

Hey Darla!

It’s Kim from Canada.

I just wanted to let you know that I’d hear about RSS feeds and kinda knew what they were about but now, because I listened to your podcast this afternoon, I’m going to subscribe to a reader and set up some blogs to follow. So, “No”, not everyone knew what they were or how to use them.

Kim, It’s obvious (to me) that I need to work on some self-doubt issues. I am glad I could help with the RSS feeder thing. Days after I posted my podcast Sister Diane had a post on Crafty Pod site about advanced Google Reader, which I’m posting here:http://www.craftypod.com/2010/01/22/video-google-reader-tricks-for-craft-bloggers/
I learned a few things from that too! Now everytime I find a new blog I open up reader, hit the subscribe button, copy and paste the address in. Quick and easy and organized. Now I have to start with the stars and the likes and other things.
Thanks for listening and commenting!

Your quilt is lovely, really nice job of color selection. It will be a great window hanging and then you will always be able to see it and admire.

Good podcast subject. You sound as if you are getting more comfortable w/the microphone. I think one of the things I enjoy most about listening to podcasts is that it is just like listening to a “friend” talk about whatever is interesting to her at that moment. We get to learn something in a very fun way. keep up the corny jokes; they make us laugh.

Thanks for the compliment on the quilt. Most of the selection was Carol (Doak’s), but not all, so that’s good. Thanks for your comment on the subject too. I never can tell what others are going to want when I go “astray” a little bit, but variety is the spice of life!
I don’t know what I was laughing about most of the first part of the podcast exactly, other than myself. Which I am glad to be able to have corny jokes that others can at least giggle at as well. For more inspiration for that silly side I can hide so well, I need to listen to more patchwork and pacifiers. It’s pretty cool to see all these friends emerge out of nowhere (a year ago I knew NONE of this existed), so keep in touch!